Gender and The Law

This report provides an overview of Namibian court cases relating to LGBTQ+ matters and then proceeds to look at recent developments in the areas of family law and GBV with an emphasis on how they have intersected with LGBTQ+ issues. The report argues that current debates on LGBTQ+ issues have coloured discussion of broader family […]

Right Now, I Cannot Survive

This is the second human rights report looking at the impact of the Fishrot scandal on the lives of fisheries workers. “Right Now I Cannot Survive” highlights the continued struggles faced by those deeply affected by Namibia’s most high-profile corruption case. In so doing the report offers critical insights into the broader implications of corruption […]

Human Rights in Namibia

In early March 2024, Namibian civil society submitted its report on Namibia’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to the UN Human Rights Committee. The report was produced in collaboration with the Centre for Civil and Political Rights based in Geneva. The UN Human Rights Committee, meeting from 4 to […]

Human Rights Impacts of the Fishrot Scandal

In this report the IPPR documents the severe human toll of the Fishrot scandal through interviews with Namibian fishing industry workers, who detail their struggles to find employment and provide for their families.

SIM Card Registration & The NCIS

The obscurest state agency is handed a most powerful ‘instrument’ with only presidential scrutiny  IN his ministerial statement of 29 December 2023, extending the SIM card registration period to the end of March 2024, Information and Communication Technology minister Peya Mushelenga made it a point to start off by extolling the virtues of SIM card […]

Namibia’s Unfolding ‘Identity Crisis’

Compulsory SIM card registration, mandatory data retention and biometrics harvesting will degrade human rights and democracy  In a few days communications privacy comes to an end in Namibia.  This is because on 1 January 2024 perpetual mass surveillance will become the norm in the country as mandatory SIM card registration and data retention are fully […]

Namibia’s Foreign Policy on Human Rights

Despite progressive provisions in its Constitution, Namibia’s foreign policy on human rights has been marred by inconsistencies. This paper, co-published with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), provides a timely analysis of Namibia’s track record in upholding human rights in the international community. The paper argues that Namibia’s foreign policy is characterised by […]

Thinking About Data Protection

A draft data protection bill has been made public and it is clear that it requires a lot more work before it should be tabled in parliament. This Perspectives on Parliament bulletin includes both IPPR and Legal Assistance Centre commentaries on the bill – which have been submitted to the Ministry of Information and Communication […]

Data Protection Bill: Not Fit For Purpose

This review of the proposed Data Protection Bill for Namibia argues that the draft law requires further development to ensure that it meets the requirements of a contemporary data protection framework. The sections on the independence of the Supervisory Authority need to be reconsidered and substantially redrafted, and sections concerning offences, penalties, and administrative penalties […]